I have an '00 528i and am now looking to upgrade to an '05 5er or 7er. Only problem is the well-documented lack of support for Ipod/MP3 with iDrive systems. With an hour commute each way, no way I will get a car that doesn't let me play my iPod.

The only solution for right now appears to be FM modulation/transmission - but I can't/won't use this because the NY area is too full of stations and the sound quality simply bites. This means, from what I can tell, after extensive research, that I will have to wait until BMW supports IPOD. At the moment, it looks like there is no third party option out there.

The salesmen in my area don't appear to have "official" knowledge of Ipod support in the '06s, but I gotta think, particularly with iDrive moving to the 3er next year that the '06s will support it. I can't imagine that starting next year virtually all of BMW's product line will be unable to play iPods/MP3s.

I guess my question is, has anybody heard anything, official or otherwise, that would validate my decision to wait? The only thing I have found is a blurb in AutoSpies indicating that they are working on it....

Yes, I know about the Aux. Input; I just had it installed on my wife's X5.

My questions are pretty specific as regards iDrive. It is pretty clear that you can use an iPod on all the late model 3s, x5s, and z4s. But I have NEVER heard of anyone having the capability to use an iPod with an iDrive-equipped car, except with an FM transmitter. Which suck.

I have a '00 528i and was hoping to get a new BMW next year, but since they all will have iDrive and I won't be able to use my iPod, I guess I'll be holding on to it for a while longer......